Key facts
- Tesla will formally roll out its Semi electric trucks on Thursday at an inauguration event for its plant in Sparks, Nevada.
- The Semi truck, designed for long-haul freight with a range of up to 500 miles, was first unveiled in 2017.
- Tesla's July shareholder letter stated that production of Semi would begin in 2026.
- Tesla received an order for 2,500 Semis from a coalition including Microsoft and PepsiCo.
- Swedish freight technology company Einride AB announced a deal to add 500 Semi trucks to its fleet.
- The Nevada factory is being set up to run at an annual capacity of up to 50,000 units.
Tesla is poised to formally launch its long-awaited Semi electric trucks on Thursday at an inauguration event for its plant in Sparks, Nevada. The rollout marks a significant step nearly nine years after CEO Elon Musk first unveiled the electric big rigs, a project that has faced considerable delays.
The Semi, designed for long-haul freight with a stated range of up to 500 miles, was initially unveiled in 2017, with production originally expected to commence in 2019. The first truck eventually rolled off the high-volume production line in April, but Tesla's July shareholder letter indicated that volume production would begin in 2026, revising an earlier forecast for this year.
The introduction of the Semi expands Tesla's market into commercial freight, a sector currently dominated by diesel trucks, which have seen record-high prices in the United States. Tesla began limited deliveries to customers, including PepsiCo, in late 2022. However, concerns about demand have surfaced due to delays, increasing competition, and shifts in EV policies in the US.
Despite these challenges, Tesla recently received a substantial order for 2,500 Semis from a coalition of major cargo owners, including Microsoft and PepsiCo, according to the nonprofit Catalyst Mobility. This order alone is nearly double the existing US fleet of electric Class 8 trucks. Additionally, Swedish freight technology company Einride AB announced a deal to acquire 500 Semi trucks.
The Nevada factory is being established with an intended annual capacity of up to 50,000 units. Investors and enthusiasts are anticipating further details regarding Tesla's production ramp-up plans, pricing, and confirmed major customers.